UFC Fight Night 31's Alexis Davis: 'This is my title fight'

In MMA, a fighter’s next bout is always the most important of her career, and for Alexis Davis, UFC Fight Night 31 is no different.

As the days wind down to the Canadian’s sophomore UFC appearance opposite Liz Carmouche, she recognizes the importance of the fight and where a victory over the former UFC title challenger would put her in the weight class.

“This is a really big fight for me,” Davis told MMAjunkie.com. “She is one of the top fighters, had her title shot, and this is a huge opportunity. It’s almost as if this is my title fight. This right now is my title fight.”

Carmouche (9-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC) is as highly regarded as they come in the UFC women’s bantamweight division, especially after a near-submission of champion Ronda Rousey earlier this year followed by a one-sided thrashing of Jessica Andrade. An argument can be made “Girl-Rilla” is the second best 135-pound female on the UFC roster. Davis (14-5 MMA, 1-0 UFC) agrees, and that only motivates her to steal Carmouche’s shine.

“I think this is a huge fight for me,” Davis said. “Liz is one of the top-ranked fighters not just for the UFC, but for the rankings for my entire division. So I’m really excited.”

Even though Davis handily defeated Rosi Sexton in June, she wasn’t entirely satisfied with the initial impression she gave UFC fans. Even with 19 pro fights, the 29-year-old admits she suffered from the dreaded “UFC jitters” in her debut.

And while that’s not an uncommon occurrence, Davis said she’s confident the experience will drown out any butterflies in her most high-profile contest to date.

“I’ve fought in Strikeforce before, but it was nothing like being in the UFC,” she said. “I’ve been there before, kind of experienced it. Big stage, big crowd, and now I feel more prepared. I feel a lot more comfortable now as close as I am to the fight as I was before.”

This time Davis doesn’t have to worry about performing for a hometown crowd. Her first fight took place in Canada, and the mix of fan support and media attention was new territory for her.

For this fight, though, the roles will be reversed. Wednesday’s UFC Fight Night 31 event, which airs on FOX Sports 1 following prelims on MMAjunkie.com, takes place at the Fort Campbell military base in Kentucky. Carmouche is a former Marine and expected to be the crowd favorite when they fight in front of active military personnel.

Davis, a jiu-jitsu black belt, doesn’t expect the troops to give her a hostile reception, but she knows they’re going to be on Carmouche’s side. She’s not concerned, though.

“I definitely don’t think I’m the crowd favorite like I was before,” Davis said. “But I kind of like it. It takes the pressure off.”

At an event that will determine the first women to ever achieve two UFC victories, Davis knows the stakes are high and that the winner will sit on the shortlist of candidates to fight next month’s Rousey vs. Miesha Tate winner.

“Whether or not [a win] leads to a future title shot, I’m not really sure,” Davis said. “But it’s definitely going to jump me up the rankings and toward that position.”

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